Childrens' rights advocate Lesli Rackers (left) and husband Jonathan, (right) stood outside Boonville City Hall Monday night before the council meeting. The two held signs protesting a proposal to put a boarding school for troubled youths in the Kemper campus. Rackers also addressed the council, urging them to reject the offer from the Hintons, citing abuse allegationsCouncil says 'no' to Kemper proposal
By Karen Ratay Green--The Record Editor After several weeks of heavy debate, the Boonville City Council rejected a proposal by Golden Pond LLC to operate a boarding school for troubled teens on the Kemper property and refunded the $100,000 in earnest money. The decision drew audible cheers and applause from the audience.
Randall and Russell Hinton, who planned to operate the school, were waiting outside at the time of the vote. The council had scheduled a closed session to discuss the proposed contract, but when the time came, no motion was made to go into closed session.
Instead, Councilman Morris Carter made a motion to reject the proposal from Golden Pond LLC and refund the money. There was no discussion and the council quickly agreed with a 7-0 vote. (Councilman Einspahr was absent for a family emergency.)
A number of citizens addressed the council in a public hearing held a week ago, and again last night during public comments. The public hearing drew the largest crowd in recent memory to council chambers, about 75 citizens.
Boonville resident Pat Hanna said he had done a lot of "soul searching" over the proposal. He urged the city to maintain ownership and "control" of the property. He concluded by repeatedly hammering the phrase, "If we sell it, it's gone forever!"
Boonville resident and Kemper neighbor Ron Schmitz, who resides in the "Hitch House" with his wife and young daughters, shared his own research with the council.
Schmitz, who is also superintendent of the Boonville Correctional Center, explained the proposed boarding school would be a "very lucrative business."
Schmitz explained with 500 students at $3,500 per student, the school could collect $21,000,000 per year.
Schmitz suggested with that kind of profit, the city should consider operating the school themselves, if they saw a boot camp as a legitimate industry for Boonville.
Candy Iverson, a representative for "Citizens for Missouri's Children" explained how boot camp schools like Thayer Learning Center in Kidder, Missouri, can operate in Missouri more easily because of lack of regulation.
Thayer owners, John and Willa Bundy, are currently involved in litigation over the death of a student when he did not receive proper medical attention for a spider bite.
"We believe all children placed outside the home deserve protection under the law for their health and safety," said Iverson.
The issue of regulation and the news of the Kemper proposal spurred boot camp survivor Lesli Rackers into activism. Rackers and husband Jonathan protested the meeting and the public hearing with signs and public comments.
Now that the matter is settled in Boonville, Rackers said she will continue working to raise awareness about the brainwashing and torture that Rackers said may occur in these programs.
"As for myself, I will continue what I'm doing. Fighting for the rights of all of these children without voices or rights, and their parents who have been innocently caught in this sticky WWASPS' web. I hope to play a hand in educating parents of other options for their teen's safety. "
But not everyone who addressed the council opposed the deal.
Mark Farrell, secretary of Kemper Alumni Association, endorsed the proposed sale, suggesting the council was overlooking a golden opportunity.
"These gentleman and their financier are willing to invest $15 million in the next nine months...How many other feasible offers are out there?
Russell Hinton followed Farrell's remarks saying "I am hoping each of you has done your homework, as you should."
Hinton pointed out the group would not be asking for any abatements and that he and brother Randall were "here to help youth" and to bring economic growth to Boonville.
Hinton balked at the criticism and allegations of abuse reported by several different papers. "I'll just do what my faith teaches me, to show kindness and love to everybody."
Following the council's vote, Randall Hinton was reported as saying, "I'm sad for the city. Who doesn't want to help kids?"
